Thursday, November 26, 2009

Sweet Redemption by Susan Macatee

On a cold December night, Union infantry captain, Jonathan Hackett is pinned down on the Fredericksburg battlefield trying to escape Confederate fire. But a creature of the night, more dangerous than any enemy soldier, stalks him. Jon must fight for his life as well as his soul.

Maddie Emery has lost everything dear to her. Her husband and parents have passed on and her brothers are off fighting in the Confederate Army. She's alone, trying single-handedly to hold onto her family's farm, when a Yankee soldier collapses across her stoop.

Maddie and Jon form a bond of love and desire, but as Jon exhibits signs of becoming the creature he fears most, is their love enough to fight off the evil of a centuries old vampire bent on destroying them?

When I read the blurb for Sweet Redemption, I wondered if it was possible to pull off a paranormal vampire romance that takes place during the Civil War. I was thrilled when I finished the book because I learned that not only was it possible to write such a story, but by offering something that is unique and fresh in an predictably saturated genre, author Susan Macatee has managed to separate herself from the rest.

The story starts off by placing you directly in the middle of the action with the hero, Captain Jonathan Hackett. The events that have placed him in the center of a battlefield, next to a mortally wounded young man, will endear him to you immediately. He’s tortured by decisions he made in the past, but wants to make amends. After Jon is retrieved from a decimated battlefield by a Priest that offers shelter from the harsh winter elements, he discovers he’s only exchanged one danger for another. Attacked and left to die, Jon wanders through the countryside.

Searching for help at a nearby house, he is taken in by the lovely widow Maddie Emory. From here on in, the clock is ticking. The Priest that bit Jon isn’t a priest at all, but an ancient vampire, and he has returned to claim Jon as a minion and to take Maddie as a prize. With Jon changing into the very creature he abhors, he knows he has to destroy the Arnwolf, save Maddie, and get away from the woman he can’t stop thinking about before he does something unforgivable–like drinking her blood.

I love books that snag your attention from the start and maintain it throughout, and Sweet Redemption didn’t disappoint. The writing is wonderful, the pace is nice and brisk, and the romance between Jon and Maddie is set at a believable simmer. I enjoyed the twist that brings it all together in the end, and felt the resolution to the vampire issue Jon faced was wrapped up beautifully.

Be sure to put this story on your TBR list. Civil War junkies and vampire fans will love this one.

RATING EXPLANATION:

1 Star— At this time, we at LASR do not post these reviews. If the book was boring, badly edited, poorly written, had little or no plot, stilted dialogue, and/or unsympathetic characters, we will decline the review.

2 Stars— Not wonderful, but tolerable. There may be some minor editing glitches but not enough to stop you reading. Not a wall-banger, but nothing you'd re-read. This is a book you would borrow from the library - not buy - and never check out again.

3 Stars— Good. Mostly enjoyable. You made it through and didn't consider it a waste of time or money. The story was strong enough or the conflict tight enough, so even when the book faltered, it was able to draw you back in and keep you. There's a chance you'll recommend it to a friend, but it wouldn't go on your keeper shelf.

4 Stars— Very Good. You're glad you were the one who got to review the book. You would probably buy it and would definitely recommend it to your friends. You liked the characters and the plot. The writing style was good and the editing clean.

5 Stars— Great! You would definitely buy this book. You would definitely recommend it to your friends. You really loved the characters and the plot and would consider looking for this authors back list or making her an autobuy. The writing and editing were superb.

LASR Best Book - For a book or story that is truly exceptional. You think about it when you're not reading it. You wonder what happens to the characters when you finish. You would absolutely buy everything else this author had to offer. The highest praise - and reserved for only a few.

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